Under-gunnel locker door

ABSTRACT

An articulated door which slides along a track. The track is arcuate so as to extend a distance equal to the height of the door. The track is curved up underneath the gunnel of a boat. The tracks are formed as an opposed facing pair so as to support the door as it slides up and along the track to open access into the storage locker formed between the door when in its closed position and the side wall of the boat hull.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of doors for lockers found on boats and in particular to a rail-mounted roll-top locker door for mounting under the gunnel of a boat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many vessels it is advantageous to close storage areas with doors so as to constrain the items being stored in the event of rough weather, and also to conceal from view what might otherwise be unsightly. For example, in a boat adapted for fishing, it is useful to store the fishing rods along the sidewall of the boat hull underneath the corresponding gunnel. However conventional doors which swing outwardly on hinges are problematic because the doors intrude into the interior space of the boat and in a cluttered boat may often be blocked from opening.

In the prior art, applicant is unaware of the use of articulated doors, which may be described as so-called roll-top doors adept for use in boats by taking advantage of the normally unused or inefficiently used spaced directly underneath the gunnel of the boat. Applicant is however aware of prior art which discloses the use of articulated doors or flexible covers for selectively closing containers such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,227 which issued Dec. 6, 1977 to Olbres for A Shock and Heat Resistant Storage Unit, U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,664 which issued Dec. 23, 1986 to Magro for An Insulated Roll-Up Door, U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,632 which issued Aug. 8, 1989 to Kreuze et al. for A Storage Compartment, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,746 which issued Nov. 24, 1992 to Teigen for A Polymeric Articulate Beverage Body Door. Other examples of the use of sliding or retractable articulated doors may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,872,652; 4,889,381; 4,979,553; and 6,499,785.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a rollup door which slides in the illustrated embodiment upwardly along a track. The track is arcuate so as to extend a distance equal to the height of the door. The track is curved up underneath the gunnel where the space in a boat is often wasted or often only used as a conduit for running electrical wiring. The tracks are formed as an opposed facing pair so as to support the door as it slides up and along the track to open access into the storage locker formed between the door when in its closed position and the side wall of the boat hull.

In summary, the present invention may be characterized as a gunnel locker door system for mounting under a boat gunnel. The locker door is mounted in a gunnel cavity defined by and under the boat gunnel, wherein the gunnel cavity has a gunnel height, and a gunnel width between an interior sidewall of the gunnel and a corresponding sidewall of the boat hull. The gunnel locker door system includes a parallel, spaced-apart pair of rails lying in corresponding parallel vertical planes, the rails supporting an articulated door having horizontal slats pivotally mounted to one another. The door is supported in sliding engagement between the pair of rails for sliding between a closed position wherein the door is substantially vertical so as to close-off a locker aperture defined between the pair of rails, and an open position wherein the door is translated on the pair of rails so as to both stow the door hidden underneath the boat gunnel, and so as to expose the locker aperture for use of the locker. Each rail has an upper portion mountable underneath the boat gunnel. The upper portion is sufficiently long so as to hold in the sliding engagement generally the entire height of the door when in the open position.

The upper portion of each rail may be advantageously curved in a loop so as to define a vertex of the loop. A distal end of the upper portion extends downwardly from the vertex. The loop extends a height not exceeding the gunnel height. The distal end, when the rail is mounted closely adjacent under the gunnel, extends from the vertex so as to be adjacent the corresponding sidewall of the boat hull. The length of the upper portion is such that, when stowed in the loop, the length of the upper portion does not exceed the width of the boat gunnel. The distal end of the upper portion may be longer than an intermediate segment of the upper portion which extends from the vertex to a lower vertical portion of the rail adjacent the locker aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view along line 1-1 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is, in perspective view, the starboard gunnel locker according to the present invention with the articulated door in the closed position.

FIG. 3 is, in perspective view, the port gunnel locker according to the present invention with the articulated door in the open position.

FIG. 4 is, in side elevation view, the left hand rail of the gunnel locker according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is, in side elevation view, the right hand rail of the gunnel locker according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is, in front elevation view, the rail of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As seen in the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts in each view, a pair of opposed facing curved rails 12 and 14 mounted in parallel vertical planes underneath a boat gunnel 16 so as to support therebetween a sliding articulated door 18. Articulated door 18 includes a closely adjacent array of horizontal slats 18 a, pivotally mounted to one another so that when door 18 is raised or lowered in direction A slats 18 a slide in the tracks defined by the rail channels of rails 12 and 14. Thus articulated door 18 may be lowered into a vertically planar closed position as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 so as to close locker aperture 20 from view or access, and the open position of FIG. 3 wherein the locker aperture 20 is unobstructed for ease of access into the interior cavity 22 of the locker defined by gunnel 16, boat hull sidewall 24, articulated door 18 when in its closed position, and, optionally, a floor member 26.

Each of rails 12 and 14 has an upper curve linear portion, respectively upper portions 12 a and 14 a, and contiguous linear lower portions, respectively lower portions 12 b and 14 b. The length of upper portions 12 a and 14 a are sufficiently long to contain a significant portion of the height h of door 18, or the entire height of door 18 so as to fully expose locker aperture 20. The upper portions 12 a and 14 a of the rails extend upwardly under the gunnel upper surface 16 a and behind the gunnel interior sidewall 16 b so as to hidden from view the exception possibly of the distal ends of upper portions 12 a and 14 a which are disposed rearwardly and downwardly into cavity 22 so as to accommodate the required length of the rails. Advantageously, the distal end of upper portions 12 a and 14 a are sufficiently long so as to retain more than half of the height of articulated door 18 beneath the vertices 12 c and 14 c respectively of the rails so that door 18 when raised into its open position remains raised by the weight of the door pulling downwardly in direction B along the distal ends 12 d and 14 d respectively of the rails under the influence of gravity. The opposite ends of the rails may be capped by end caps 28 a and 28 b as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In use, rails 12 and 14 may be rigidly mounted underneath gunnels 16 on both the port and starboard sides of the boat for example directly behind captains chairs 30 and forward of the transom locker 32. In the embodiment illustrated, clips 34 are mounted on suitable support members 36 so as to be held rigidly against hull sidewalls 24. Clips 34 may be used to securely hold fishing rods or like elongate objects securely until needed. The illustration of clips 34 is not intended to be limiting as locker cavity 22 may contain many other items which may be conveniently stowed within the space under gunnel 16.

In some boat designs, because the space under gunnels 16 is typically left empty, it is common to run electrical wiring underneath the gunnels. In such instances, the electrical wires may be formed into a bundle 36 and run along the length of the gunnels underneath the loop formed in the rails at vertices 12 c and 14 c so as to not interfere with the sliding of door 18 along rails 12 and 14. A handle 38 may be provided for ease of grasping by a user so as to slide articulated door 18 upwardly or downwardly in direction A. A selectively latchable lock 40 may also be provided so as to lock articulated door 18 in the closed position.

In alternative embodiments, the operation of the articulated door may be motorized, for example, an electric motor, which may be remotely activated by push-button or turn-key controls, to raise or lower the door. In further alternative embodiments, it is intended to be within the scope of the present invention that mounting positions in a boat similar to the convenient space under a gunnel be used to mount the rails to form a locker.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims. 

1. For mounting under a boat gunnel in a gunnel cavity defined by and under the boat gunnel, wherein the gunnel cavity has a gunnel height, and a gunnel width between an interior sidewall of the gunnel and a corresponding sidewall of the boat hull, a gunnel locker door comprising: a parallel, spaced-apart pair of rails lying in corresponding parallel vertical planes, an articulated door having horizontal slats pivotally mounted to one another and supported in sliding engagement between said pair of rails for sliding between a closed position wherein said door is substantially vertical so as to close-off a locker aperture defined between said pair of rails, and an open position wherein said door is translated on said pair of rails so as to stow said door hidden underneath and substantially inside the boat gunnel, and so as to expose said locker aperture, wherein each rail of said pair of rails has an upper portion adapted for mounting underneath, so as to be substantially contained by, the boat gunnel so as to hold, and said upper portion sufficiently long to hold in said sliding engagement, generally the entire height of said door when in said open position.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said upper portion of said each rail is curved in a loop so as to define a vertex of said loop and a distal end of said upper portion which extends downwardly from said vertex, and wherein said loop extends a height not exceeding the gunnel height, and wherein said distal end when said rail is mounted closely adjacent under the gunnel extends from said vertex so as to be adjacent the corresponding sidewall of the boat hull, and wherein the length of said upper portion is such that, when stowed in said loop, the length of said upper portion does not exceed the width of the boat gunnel.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said distal end of said upper portion is longer than an intermediate segment of said upper portion which extends from said vertex to a lower vertical portion of said rail adjacent said locker aperture.
 4. A gunnel locker system for a boat comprising: a boat gunnel defining gunnel cavity under said boat gunnel, wherein the gunnel cavity has a gunnel height, and a gunnel width between an interior sidewall of the gunnel and a corresponding sidewall of the boat hull, a parallel, spaced-apart pair of rails lying in corresponding parallel vertical planes, an articulated door having horizontal slats pivotally mounted to one another and supported in sliding engagement between said pair of rails for sliding between a closed position wherein said door is substantially vertical so as to close-off a locker aperture defined between said pair of rails, and an open position wherein said door is translated on said pair of rails so as to stow said door hidden underneath and substantially inside the boat gunnel, and so as to expose said locker aperture, wherein each rail of said pair of rails has an upper portion adapted for mounting underneath, so as to be substantially contained by, the boat gunnel so as to hold, said upper portion sufficiently long to hold in said sliding engagement, generally the entire height of said door when in said open position.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein said upper portion of said each rail is curved in a loop so as to define a vertex of said loop and a distal end of said upper portion which extends downwardly from said vertex, and wherein said loop extends a height not exceeding the gunnel height, and wherein said distal end when said rail is mounted closely adjacent under the gunnel extends from said vertex so as to be adjacent the corresponding sidewall of the boat hull, and wherein the length of said upper portion is such that, when stowed in said loop, the length of said upper portion does not exceed the width of the boat gunnel.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein said distal end of said upper portion is longer than an intermediate segment of said upper portion which extends from said vertex to a lower vertical portion of said rail adjacent said locker aperture.
 7. For mounting under a boat gunnel in a gunnel cavity defined by and under the boat gunnel, wherein the gunnel cavity has a gunnel height, and a gunnel width between an interior sidewall of the gunnel and a corresponding sidewall of the boat hull, a gunnel locker door comprising: a parallel, spaced-apart pair of rails lying in corresponding parallel vertical planes, an articulated door having horizontal slats pivotally mounted to one another and supported in sliding engagement between said pair of rails for sliding between a closed position wherein said door is substantially vertical so as to close-off a locker aperture defined between said pair of rails, and an open position wherein said door is translated on said pair of rails so as to stow said door hidden underneath the boat gunnel, and so as to expose said locker aperture, wherein each rail of said pair of rails has an upper portion mountable underneath the boat gunnel, said upper portion sufficiently long to hold in said sliding engagement generally the entire height of said door when in said open position, wherein said upper portion of said each rail is curved in a loop so as to define a vertex of said loop and a distal end of said upper portion which extends downwardly from said vertex, and wherein said loop extends a height not exceeding the gunnel height, and wherein said distal end when said rail is mounted closely adjacent under the gunnel extends from said vertex so as to be adjacent the corresponding sidewall of the boat hull, and wherein the length of said upper portion is such that, when stowed in said loop, the length of said upper portion does not exceed the width of the boat gunnel.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein said distal end of said upper portion is longer than an intermediate segment of said upper portion which extends from said vertex to a lower vertical portion of said rail adjacent said locker aperture.
 9. A gunnel locker system for a boat comprising: a boat gunnel defining gunnel cavity under said boat gunnel, wherein the gunnel cavity has a gunnel height, and a gunnel width between an interior sidewall of the gunnel and a corresponding sidewall of the boat hull, a parallel, spaced-apart pair of rails lying in corresponding parallel vertical planes, an articulated door having horizontal slats pivotally mounted to one another and supported in sliding engagement between said pair of rails for sliding between a closed position wherein said door is substantially vertical so as to close-off a locker aperture defined between said pair of rails, and an open position wherein said door is translated on said pair of rails so as to stow said door hidden underneath the boat gunnel, and so as to expose said locker aperture, wherein each rail of said pair of rails has an upper portion mountable underneath the boat gunnel, said upper portion sufficiently long to hold in said sliding engagement generally the entire height of said door when in said open position, wherein said upper portion of said each rail is curved in a loop so as to define a vertex of said loop and a distal end of said upper portion which extends downwardly from said vertex, and wherein said loop extends a height not exceeding the gunnel height, and wherein said distal end when said rail is mounted closely adjacent under the gunnel extends from said vertex so as to be adjacent the corresponding sidewall of the boat hull, and wherein the length of said upper portion is such that, when stowed in said loop, the length of said upper portion does not exceed the width of the boat gunnel.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein said distal end of said upper portion is longer than an intermediate segment of said upper portion which extends from said vertex to a lower vertical portion of said rail adjacent said locker aperture. 